• Structure 17, Glassblowing and Island Drive

    Jamestown

    National Historic Site Virginia

  • Detour at Jamestown Island Entrance

    Road construction at the Jamestown Entrance station has required detour signs and barrackades. Because the normal exit lanes have been closed, the entrance lanes have been modified for two way traffic. JAMESTOWN IS OPEN! Please be careful.

Bacon's Rebellion 2011

Living history Interpreters portraying Nathaniel Bacon's Troops ready to burn Jamestown

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Living History Interpreters portraying Nathaniel Bacon's Troops ready to burn Jamestown

It was a time of strife, distrust and anger, forcing some Virginians to stand up and challenge Royal Authority. These difficult times led many to rally around one individual, to take up arms and revolt against a preceived tyrant. No, this is not the American Revolution, but Bacon's Rebellion which occurred 100 years before our Declaration of independance.

It was on September 19, 1676 that Nathaniel Bacon drove loyalists under Governor Sir William Berkely out of Jamestown and proceded to loot and burn the town. This was the climatic event of the rebellion. Bacon would soon thereafter die and the rebellion collapse.

 
Living History Interpreter Dick Cheatum portraying Burgess Thomas Matthew

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Living History Interpreter Willie Balderson portraying one of the eyewitnesses to the Rebellion.

Join with Colonial National Historical Park - Historic Jamestowne for the commenoration of the 335th anniversary of Bacon's Rebellion.

Some of the most important events of the rebellion happened at Jamestown, and the conflict itself destroyed most of the city. Bacon's Rebellion was one of the largest and most violent events in the colonies during the 17th century. It forever changed the political, economic, and social climate of Virginia.

During an evening walking tour, the details of this dramatic event will unfold as visitors experience the conflict through the "eyewitness" account of Thomas Matthew, a Burgess in 1676. The hour-long program will include a tour through the ruins of the town. Controlled fires will recreate the burning of Jamestown as it occurred on September 19, 1676. Stand before the runis of the statehouse and jail, as symbolic flames once again rise over the city.

 

Join the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia as we explore the tumultuous events of Bacon's Rebellion of 1676.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

11:00 a.m. - William Berkeley, governor of Virginia recounts events of Bacon's Rebellion - Jamestown Memorial Church

2:00 p.m. - William Berkeley, governor of Virginia recounts events of Bacon's Rebellion - Jamestown Memorial Church

7:00 p.m. - Join with Thomas Matthew, a Burgess in 1676 as he pesents an eyewitness account of the events leading to the 1676 burning of Jamestown. The program concludes with a symbolic burning of Jamestown - Program begins at the Jamestown Tercentennial Monument

Entrances fees of $10.00 per adult with children 15 and under free apply. Jointly sponsored by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia.

Did You Know?

Water color portrait of Captian John Smith

Captain John Smith produced a dictionary of over 500 Powhatan Indian words.  Opossum, raccoon, persimmon and Chesapeake are all Powhatan Indian words.